Lever arm with tactile contour

ABSTRACT

A plurality of levers each having one end adapted for attachment below a chair seat for controlling separate movements of a chair, each said lever having another end presenting a substantially planar surface terminating at a periphery, said periphery defining a geometric shape different from one another so as to tactually distinguish said levers and the associated movements of said chair controlled by said levers.

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/736,626filed Dec. 17, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,008,022.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a control lever having one end adaptedfor attachment to a resting device such as a chair and another endhaving a tactile contour for identifying the control lever. Theinvention also relates to a chair having a plurality of levers whereeach of said levers have a different tactile contour for distinguishingthe levers. A guide is associated with said plurality of levers havingdifferent tactile shapes. The invention also relates to a method ofcorrelating a plurality of lever control arms with respectivecorresponding plurality of movements of a chair, using a guide.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Resting devices such as a chair or bed may be adjusted to fit thecomfort of an individual user.

Contemporary chairs particularly utilised in an office are becoming moresophisticated with respect to the different adjustments that can be madeto these types of chairs. Typically such chairs provide that both theback and the seat of the office chair can be separately adjusted to anumber of different settings by utilising a plurality of chair levercontrol arms. Generally speaking, all chair lever control arms orcontrols are generally located below the chair seat. This is generallythe case for adjustable beds of the type having control arms locatedbelow the bed.

A particular draw back of such prior art chairs resides in thelikelihood that understanding of the use of the controls is oftendifficult. Much of the difficulty results from the positioning of thelever control arms below the chair seat where they are not readilyvisibly assessable.

Accordingly, it is not unusual that the operation of most chair controlsis understood after a trial and error test done by a person using thechair. Such person will generally try each control to determine itsfunction and may reach a full understanding of the chair controls onlyafter extended chair usage. This can be frustrating as the chair controlarms can move a chair part, which has already been set to an appropriateoptimal position, and require resetting. In some case, such person maynot be able to properly reset the chair for optimal usage.

In other cases movement of the lever control arms or devices without anunderstanding of its function can lead to adjustment of the chair partswhich is inappropriate. For example, some chairs are equipped with atension device that is rotatable and adjusts the tension on the “freefloat” tilting motion of the chair. This “free float” motion may belocked (i.e. prohibits the swing) or unlocked by a chair lever arm. Ifthe tension is adjusted for a heavy person and a light person sits onthe chair it is possible that the light person may be catapulted forwardby the spring activated movement when the lever arm is unlocked.

Accordingly, various prior art devices have heretofore been constructedin order to address the difficulties referred to above.

For example, reissue U.S. Pat. No. Re. 36,928 relates to an operationalguide mounted to an adjustable chair where the guide includes a cardhaving a pictorial guide for operating the adjustable chair located onthe top side of the card.

Moreover, some prior art chairs included lever control arms having anend with a serrated edge along one side thereof.

In other cases, Braille has been disposed on a top surface of a levercontrol arm in order to permit a blind person to locate the particularlever control arm and convey information regarding same.

However, it is difficult for the general public to decipher the meaningof a serrated edge or Braille disposed on a lever control arm.Furthermore it is generally difficult to visually represent a serratededge or Braille on a screen or guide which is easy to see or understand.

Moreover the prior art devices have not addressed the issue of assistinga user to understand the operation of a lever control arm, apart fromproviding an instructional manual in a booklet of written form. In someprior art devices summaries of instructions are provided on a card asshown in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 36,928 or card pivoting outwardly from an armof a chair.

According, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedlever control arm for a chair, which is more easily and readilyunderstood by the general public.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved chairhaving control levers for adjusting a chair having an improved method ofconveying information concerning its functionality.

It is an aspect of this invention to provide a control lever having oneend adapted for attachment to a resting device for controlled adjustmentthereof and another end having a tactile contour for identifying thecontrol lever.

It is another aspect of this invention to provide a plurality of leverseach having one end adapted for attachment below a chair seat orcontrolling separate movements of a chair, each said lever havinganother end having tactile shapes different from one another so as todistinguish said levers.

It is another aspect of this invention to provide a chair having aselectively moveable back and seat and a plurality of control armsattached below said seat for activating selected movements of said backand seat wherein said one of said control arms includes an end having atactile shape different from an end of another one of said control arms.

It is another aspect of this invention to provide a chair having aselectively moveable back and seat including a first lever control armhaving one end attached below the seat and another end presenting atactile shape, said first lever arm activating a selected movement ofsaid back or seat; a second lever control arm having one end attachedbelow said seat and another end presenting a tactile shape, said secondlever control arm activating another selected movement of said back orseat different from said first lever control arm; said tactile shape ofsaid second lever arm different from said tactile shape of said firstlever arm; and a guide presented by the arm of the chair for displayingthe different tactile shapes and the associated movements of said firstand second lever control arms.

It is another aspect of this invention to provide a guide for a chairhaving a plurality of lever control arms with ends having differenttactile shapes, for activating a selective orientation of a back or seatof a chair comprising: a screen having visual representationscorresponding to each said different tactile shapes; informationassociated with said visual representations and corresponding toselective orientations activated by said plurality of lever control armsrespectively.

It is another aspect of this invention to provide a method ofcorrelating a plurality of separate movements of a chair with aplurality of lever control arms activating said movements respectivelycomprising the steps of: providing a plurality of lever control armswith ends having different tactile contour shapes; displaying a guidehaving said shapes with information associated with said movements ofsaid plurality of lever control arms respectively.

These and other objects and features of the invention shall now bedescribed in relation to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the rear perspective view of an office type chair havingmoveable chair parts and controls for those moveable chair parts. Thechair shown in FIG. 1 is of a conventional design and is labelled asprior art.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a chair and a display or control guideaccording to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the armrest from the chair ofFIG. 2 according to a further preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the control lever arms removedfrom the chair FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout thespecification and drawings with the same respective reference numerals.The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instancesproportions may have been exaggerated in order to more clearly depictcertain features of the invention.

Description of the Prior Art

FIG. 1 shows a typical example of a prior art office type chair 1. Thechair includes a chair back 3, a chair seat 5, and a support frame 8which includes a vertical column 7 and a frame 9 which supports thechair 1.

The back 3 and seat 5 of the chair 1 are adjustable to differentpositions. For example, the chair back 3 may be vertically adjusted atan angle relative to the seat 5. Moreover the seat 5 may be adjustedrelative the horizontal. Furthermore, the height of the seat 5 may alsobe adjusted from ground level, in a manner well known to persons skilledin the art. Furthermore, other parts of the chair may also beadjustable.

The different adjustments or movements of each of the above chair partsis activated by a number of control levers or chair lever control arms11. Generally speaking prior art lever control arms 13, 15, and 17 areidentically shaped. Generally speaking the prior art devices compriselever arms 13, 15, and 17 having a substantially flat circular paddle atone end of the lever arm as shown. Furthermore they generally lie insubstantially planar side-by-side relationship in close proximity to oneanother.

Accordingly, a user will generally have difficulty distinguishing onecontrol arm 13 from the others 15 and 17. Generally speaking the userwill need to operate the control to determine which chair part iscontrolled by the respective control lever 13, 15, and 17. If thecorrect chair control lever 11 is not chosen, difficulties may arise asdescribed above.

FIG. 2 shows a chair 41 according to one preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. The chair 41 includes a back 43 and a seat 45 with alower frame 46. The lower frame 46 includes height adjustment means 47and a frame 48 to which the seat 45 is attached and supported.

The height adjustment means 47 can comprise of a number of devicesincluding telescoping cylinders which comprise a gas cylinder foradjusting the height of the seat 45 relative to the floor in a mannerwell known to those persons skilled in the art.

A plurality of control levers or lever control arms 49 are disposedbelow the seat 45. In particular, the plurality of lever control arms 49extend from the frame part 48. Three lever control arms 52, 54 and 56are shown although any number of lever control arms may be utilised.Each of the lever control arms 52, 54 and 56 present one end 59, 61 and63 respectively which are adapted for attachment to the chair. Inparticular, the one end 59, 61 and 63 of the lever control arms 52, 54and 56 respectively extend from the frame part 48 and are fastened tothe appropriate adjustment mechanisms not shown but well known to thosepersons skilled in the art. For example, the one end 59, 61 and 63 ofthe lever control arms 49 may be snapped on or virtually engaged by theappropriate adjustment mechanisms.

The other end 53, 55, 57 of the lever control arm 52, 54 and 56respectively have a shape or tactile contour for identifying the controllevers 49. In particular, each of the other ends 53, 55, 57 of thecontrol levers 49 have a tactile contour which is different from oneanother so as to easily and readily distinguish the lever. The geometricshapes shown in the drawings, namely the circle, square and triangle areeasily and readily distinguishable from one another by tactile contactwith a users fingers (since the levers are located below the seat andout of view) in a way which has not been done before, either by serratededge, Braille, or otherwise.

Each of the tactile contours 53, 55 and 57 are substantially flat orplanar and define a substantially two-dimensional tactile shape foridentifying the control levers 49. In particular, the tactile shapes 53,55 and 57 are planer having a peripheral edge 65, 67 and 69 defining theshapes. The peripheral edges 65, 67 and 69 may be flat, smooth orcurved.

The tactile contours or shapes 53, 55 and 57 as shown in the figures aredisposed substantially horizontally relative to the chair 41 and seat 45although they can also be disposed substantially vertically or otherorientation relative to the chair 41.

The shapes of the other end 53, 55 and 57 of the control levers 49 arein one embodiment selected from the group of circular, rectangular,triangular, square, oval or half-circular shapes. However othergeometrical shapes, letters or symbols can be selected such as an arrowwhich may be oriented upwardly or downwardly to convey a selectedmessage. Generally, this group defines planer shapes. The inventionshould not be limited to the shapes belonging to this group, as thegroup has been included as an example only. Any tactile contour shapecan be selected so long as it is easily and readily distinguished by aperson's tactile feel by the fingers or the like. It is possible that3-dimensional shapes such as spheres, pyramids or cubes could beutilised, although it has been found that planer 2-dimensional shapes asdescribed are easily distinguishable by touch or feel.

Furthermore these shapes are in one embodiment disposed in twodimensional space, with a depth (i.e. third dimension) defining aperipheral edge 39, 41, and 43 of tactile contour 53, 55, and 57 oflever arms 52, 54, and 56 respectively.

In one embodiment the tactile contours are defined and perceived by auser operably contacting the peripheral edge 39, 41, and 43 which definethe shapes 53, 55, and 57.

Alternatively the planar surfaces S, T, C of tactile contours 53, 55,and 57 may be contoured. For example S may have a smooth surface, whileT may be stippled and C being concave, provided such surface is capableof tactile perception and can be visually perceived and in oneembodiment represented by indicia such as a visual symbol or in writing.

Accordingly, the user of a chair is able to reach down and grasp any ofthe lever control arms 49 and recognise the distinctive shapes orcontours that has been grasped as either circular, triangular, square,half-circular, rectangular, oval or the like. As such, the person maythen activate the appropriate control lever to adjust or move therespective response in adjusting or moving the seat 45 or back 43 of thechair.

Such user may then easily remember the particular function of the levercontrol arms 49 after a few uses as the tactile contours have differentshapes. The geometric shapes shown in the figures i.e. circle, triangle,and square are easily remembered.

Furthermore the side to side spacing can be selected to permitunobstructed manipulation without interference from the other controlarms by a users fingers.

A person can in accordance with another embodiment of this invention,utilise a display or control guide with the invention described above todetermine what the particular control lever will do from the shape ofthe tactile contour.

More specifically, FIG. 2 shows a control guide or display 65 maycomprise a computer monitor, which is associated with the plurality oflevers 49. The computer monitor 65 may be disposed in the vicinity ofthe chair 41 so that a person sitting in the chair 41 can easily viewthe monitor screen, which will show or visually display representationsof all of the shapes embraced by the tactile shapes 53, 55 and 57.

In the embodiment shown the computer screen 66 will visually illustratea circular, triangular and square representation. In one embodiment, thecircular shape will appear at the top of the screen, while thetriangular shape will appear at the middle of the screen, and the squareshape appear at the bottom of the screen. Each of the shapes will haveassociated therewith on the screen information pertinent to the controlhaving the particular shape.

For example, the circular shape 57 is shown on the computer monitor 65with indicia or information 85 beside it that the circular shape levercontrol arm 49 will tilt the chair back 43 vertically relative to theseat 45. The triangular tactile shape 55 will also appear on thecomputer monitor 65 with indicia or information 83 beside it that thetriangular lever will move the seat 45 at an angle to the horizon. Thesquare tactile shape 53 will appear on the computer monitor 65 withindicia or information 77 beside it that activating the lever 49 willmove the seat 45 vertically, upwardly or downwardly relative to asurface.

Accordingly, a person using the chair 41 could then refer to the visualshapes described above on the monitor screen and reach down and feel forthe particular control arm 49 that they need to make a particular chairadjustment.

In another embodiment, the control guide information 77, 83, and 85 maybe on a website, which could be accessed by the user. Alternatively, thecontrol guide 65 may comprise of written information obtained in abooklet 67, which can be stored in association with the chair as shown.Such booklet 67 may have pictures of the various different shapes andinformation concerning the operation and adjustment of each of thecontrols according to the shape of the handles.

In another embodiment, the control guide 65 may be an audible ratherthan a visual guide. The user of the chair 41 can access thisinformation by pressing a switch 33, which may be disposed on the arm 71and an audible recording which has been stored on, in or in associationwith the chair 41, will then be activated and heard through an audiooutput such as a speaker 70 provided in the back of the chair or otherlocation. Appropriate wires (not shown) and power supplies (not shown)can be provided to activate the audio information. Alternatively, theswitch 33 may activate the speaker 70 by wireless means.

FIG. 3 shows still another embodiment of the invention in which thecontrol guide or display 65 is carried or provided in the armrest 71 ofthe chair. The display is electronic in one embodiment. The display orcontrol guide 65 is presented on the upper surface of the armrest 71 andin one embodiment will be visible at all times. The control guide 65 cancomprise of a liquid crystal display screen or other electronic screen,which can display the shapes of the tactile contours and includeinformation concerning the various functions of the levers 49. Thedisplay 65 can also comprise of buttons 57, 55 and 53 which correspondto the shape of the tactile contours which in one embodiment can bepressed so as to provide information 79, 83, and 87 respectively.Information 79, 83 and 87 corresponding to the levers 49 having thecontour shapes 57, 55 and 53 are displayed in association therewith asshown in FIG. 3.

Alternatively, the visual representation 57, 55 and 53 can comprise of avisual electronic image, which is active by the touch of a finger thatchanges the electronic characteristics such as inductance or the like toturn on the written information 79, 83 and 87 respectively.

Alternatively the shapes of the buttons 57, 55, 53 may be embossedprinted or recessed into the material of the arm rest during thefabricating or moulding step which buttons could include the words“RAISE”, “LOWER” and “TILT” for example embossed, printed or recessedinside or close to the buttons to act as a guide to the user of thechair. This would act as a guide to the user feeling the lever arms andlooking at the shapes on the armrest to prompt the user as to thefunction of the appropriate lever arm.

Furthermore by utilising the easily recognisable tactile shapes asdescribed in association with shapes that are easily visuallyrepresented on a guide such as a computer screen or electronic displayon a chair arm (where resolution may be limited) the user can select theappropriate lever arm for the desired movement of the chair. Theseadvantages are not readily available on those prior art chairs utilisinga serrated edge on a lever arm (i.e. pixel size of the screen may notpermit visual representation of a serrated edge, particularly to someonewith poor eyesight) or Braille on the surface of a lever arm.

In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the order or sequence is thesame on the display 65 as on the levers 57 55 and 53 to assist inremembering and operation. In other words the visual appearance or orderof the buttons 57, 55 and 53 on the display 65 is the same as the orderof the tactile contours 57, 55 and 53. However the invention is not tobe limited to this particular order as benefits can be experienced withthe sequence of the lever arms being different from the buttons.

Although not shown it is possible that a hinged cover can be attached tothe upper surface of the armrest 71 so as to cover the display or thecontrol guide 65. The information 77, 83 and 85 is more visuallyaccessible to the user of the chair 41 than the controls, which arelocated below the chair seat. The user of the chair 41 is able to simplyreach down to feel the tactile shape of the ends of the lever controlarms 49 which are readily recognisable to the touch of the user and thenthe user can refer to the control guide 65 to determine which levercontrol activates which part of the chair.

Although the invention has been described herein with lever control arms49, which are substantially of the same length, such lever control arms49 may have different lengths.

The information to be displayed can be selected to include basicinstructions concerning the operation of the lever control arms 49 orthe literal information can scroll across the screen to provide fulloperational information concerning the chair as well as the levercontrol arms 49.

Although only three lever control arms 49 have been described aplurality of lever control arms can be utilised. Alternatively, at leasttwo lever control arms can be utilised in accordance with the inventiondescribed herein. As described above, each of the levers 52, 54 and 56are associated with a control guide or display 65, which displayincludes a visual representation corresponding to the shape andinformation corresponding to the separate movements of the chair.Furthermore it is also possible that one or more control arms 49 bedisposed on both side of the seat 45.

The display 65 has indicia 77, 83 and 85 for correlating the differenttactile shapes of the control means and their associated movements.

The invention described herein shows a chair 41 having a selectivelymoveable back 43 and seat 45 including:

-   -   (a) a first lever control arm 52 having one end 59 attach below        the seat 45 and another end 53 presenting a tactile shape, said        first lever arm 52 activating a selective movement of the back        43 or seat 45;    -   (b) a second lever control arm 54 having one end 61 attach below        the seat 45 and another end 55 presenting a tactile shape, said        second lever arm 54 activating another selective movement of the        back 43 or seat 45 different from the first lever control arm        52;    -   (c) the tactile shape 55 of the second lever arm 54 is different        from the tactile shape 53 of the first lever arm 52;    -   (d) a display 65 presented by the arm of the chair 41 for        displaying the different tactile shapes and indicia from the        associated movements of the first and second lever control arms.

The invention described above also illustrates a display 65 for a chair41 having a plurality of lever control arms 52, 54 and 56 for activatinga selected orientation of the back 43 or a seat 45 of the chair 41comprising:

-   -   (a) a screen 66 having visual representations corresponding to        each of the different tactile shapes; and    -   (b) information 79, 83 and 87 associated with the visual        representations and corresponding to the selected orientations        activated by the plurality of lever control arms respectively.

Finally the invention described herein illustrates a method ofcorrelating the plurality of movements of a chair with a plurality oflever chair control arms 49 respectively comprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing a plurality of lever control arms having ends with        different tactile contour shapes;    -   (b) displaying a guide having the shapes with information        associated with said movements of said plurality of level        control arms respectively.

Although the preferred embodiment as well as the operation in use havebeen specifically described in relation to the drawings, it should beunderstood variations of the preferred embodiment can be achieved by aperson skilled in the trade without departing from the spirit of theinvention as claimed herein.

1. At least two control levers each having one end adapted forattachment to a resting device for controlling movement thereof, andeach lever having a second end with a geometrically-shaped tactilesurfaces having peripheral edges defining a tactile contour thatidentifies said control lever, said contour selected from the group of:(a) circular, triangular, square, rectangular, oval, and half circularshapes, (b) spherical, pyramidal, cubical, letters and arrow shapeswherein said contour of one of said levers is different from saidcontour of said other lever.
 2. At least two control levers as claimedin claim 1 wherein each said lever controls a different movement of saidresting device and wherein each said tactile contour presents aperipheral edge permitting tactile perception and association of saidlever with said respective movement of said resting device.
 3. At leasttwo control levers as claimed in claim 2 wherein said peripheral edge isdisposed in a plane.
 4. At least two control levers as claimed in claim1 wherein each said control lever is associated with a control guideincluding information corresponding to said shapes and the associatedmovements of said levers.
 5. At least two control levers as claimed inclaim 4 wherein said information comprises a visual representationcorresponding to said shapes.
 6. A control lever as claimed in claim 4wherein said information comprises audio information corresponding tosaid shapes and controlled movement of said resting device.
 7. Aplurality of levers each having one end adapted for attachment below achair seat for controlling separate movements of a chair, each saidlever having a second end presenting a substantially planar,geometrically-shaped surface terminating at a periphery, said peripherydefining a geometric shape different from one another so as to tactuallydistinguish said levers and the associated movements of said chaircontrolled by said levers; at least two levers of said plurality oflevers having a periphery defining a geometric shape selected from thegroup of circular, square, rectangular, oval, half circular, pentagon,octagon, hexagonal shapes.
 8. A plurality of levers as claimed in claim7 wherein each said planar surface is flat.
 9. A plurality of levers asclaimed in claim 8 wherein each said planar surface is disposedsubstantially horizontally relative said chair seat.
 10. A plurality oflevers as claimed in claim 7 where each of said levers are associatedwith a control guide for displaying said different shapes andinformation corresponding to said separate movements of said chairrespectively.
 11. A plurality of levers as claimed in claim 10 whereinsaid control guide is adapted to be carried by an arm of said chair. 12.A plurality of levers as claimed in claim 11 wherein said peripheraledges lie in a substantially flat plane.
 13. A plurality of levers asclaimed in claim 12 further including a guide presented by an arm ofsaid chair for displaying indicia for correlating said different shapesof said control means and their associated movement of said back andchair.
 14. A chair having a selectively moveable back and seatincluding: (a) a first lever control arm having one end attached belowsaid seat, and a second end having a tactile surface and contourdefining a first geometric shape, said first lever control armactivating a selective movement of said back or seat; (b) a second levercontrol arm having one end attached below said seat and a second endhaving a tactile surface and contour defining a second geometric shape,said second lever control arm activating another selective movement ofsaid back or seat different from said first lever control arm; (c) saidsecond geometric shape different from said first geometric shape.
 15. Achair as claimed in claim 14 including a guide presented by an arm ofsaid chair for displaying said different geometric shapes and theassociated movements of said first and second lever arms.
 16. A chair asclaimed in claim 15 including a guide presented by an arm of said chairfor displaying said different geometric shapes and the associatedmovements of said first and second lever arms wherein said geometricshapes are selected from the group having a two dimensional surface witha circular, square, rectangular, oval, half circular, pentagon, octagon,hexagonal edges.
 17. A chair as claimed in claim 16 wherein said guidecomprises a display including: (a) a first button visually correspondingto said first geometric shape of said first lever arm; (b) a secondbutton visually corresponding to said second geometric shape of saidsecond lever arm.
 18. A chair as claimed in claim 17 wherein saiddisplay includes information corresponding to said different geometricshapes and associated movements of said first and second lever controlarms.